RY FARMING 



:: IN :: 



WYOMING 



^ 



Prepared by 

DR. V. T. COOKE 

Expert in 

DRY FARMING 



if' 



Publiabed under Superviaion 
of the 

STATE DRY FARMING COMMISSION 

CHEYENNE, WYO. 



Copyright, 1909, by V. T. Cooke 




Class S1 3\\-^^ 

Book. .'"-1.3 

GopyrightN^. 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



DRY FARMING 



IN 



WYOMING 



PREPARED BY 

DR. V. T. COOKE 

Expert in Drv Farming 



>^.k., 




>^ 






PUBLISHED UNDER THE SUPERVISION 

OF THE 

STATE DRY FARMING COMMISSION 

CHEYENNE, WYOMING 



COPYRIGHT, 1909, BV V. T. COOKE 







THE S. A. BRISTOL CO. 
Cheyenne, Wvo. 



SEP 4 1909 



DRY FARMING 

IN 

WYOMING 



The term Dry Farming is somewhat new to the popular mind, 
and needs defining. The term is scientifically incorrect, and 
should be replaced by ''Scientific Farming," as more nearly de- 
ecribing the special line of agriculture thus designated. From the 
general talk anyone would suppose that there were some special 
new methods, ideas and implements which must be used in order 
that Dry Farming may be a success. As a matter of fact Dry 
Farming is the oldest kind of farming, for crops have been raised 
since agriculture Ijegan with scanty amount of moisture furnished 
by rainfall. In the arid West, where it has been considered im- 
possible to raise crops save by irrigation. Dry Farming means the 
raising of profitable crops where the rainfall is as low as eight inches 
per annum. This kind of farming has been practiced in Cali- 
fornia for over forty years and in eastern Oregon and eastern 
Washington for over twenty-five years. In these states it has 
been demonstrated that by deep plowing and a proper svstera of 
cultivation, two years' moisture may be held for one big crop. 
This is the s^^stem of summer fallowing and tilling one-half the 
farm area without crop each year, using the other half to produce 
crops. The apparent re'asoA why systems of Dry Farming were 
not earlier established in Wyoming seems to be because of the 
failures which overtook those settlers who, in the early '80s, at- 
tempted to establish agriculture in Western Kansas and Nebraska, 
where the old methods w^hich had been practiced under heavy 
amounts of rainfall farther east, failed to succeed. Farther west, 
fls indicated, the two-vear rotation svstem of Drv Farming has 



6 DRY FAKMIXG IN ^^•YO.^^NG 

been long practiced with a rainfall which is less favorable in 
amou7it and time it is received than that in Wyoming. In parts 
of this State, however, notal^ly along the eastern border and in the 
northeastern corner of this State, farmers have been subsisting by 
agriculture without irrigation for some years. Five years ago 
the Commercial Club, now the Industrial Club, of Cheyenne, took 
up the matter, raised some funds for the purpose, and secured co- 
operation with the Irrigation Investigations, Department of Ag- 
riculture, and the State Experiment Station for the establishment 
of a Demonstration Farm near Cheyenne. A company was also 
formed of private citizens to begin the development of this indus- 
try, and the Legislature in 1907 made an appropriation of $5,000^ 
placing it in the hands of Gov. B. B. Brooks, and another in 190& 
of $10,000 to be used by a commission of three gentlemen. The 
wTiter had been employed by the citizens' Committee and carried 
out two seasons' work, obtaining results which were very promis- 
ing. These experiments were conducted almost within the city 
limits of Cheyenne. In the season of 1906, 56 bushels of beardless 
barley and 38| bushels of Macaroni wheat were raised to the acre^ 
besides a large crop of oats, the yield of which was not computed. 
There were sown three tracts of alfalfa on one acre, five acres and 
ten acres respectively, and up to the present time these alfalfa 
fields give promise of being successful. There are numerous fields 
throughout the State in which alfalfa is being raised entirely with- 
out irrigation, and it is the opinion of the writer (from past ex- 
perience where the conditions were not as favorable) that one big 
crop can be raised, and most likely a second if rain should fall at 
the right time. 

When the money appropriated l^y the State Legislature be- 
came availal)le, the writer was placed in charge of that work and,, 
in addition to carrying out some demonstrations on convenient 
lands near Cheyenne, he is expected to assist anyone throughout 
the State interested in this work by giving information and ad- 
vice. He can be reached at any time by addressing him at Chey- 
enne. It is the purpose of this paper to give the conditions in the 
State favora})le to Dry Farming and compare them to those in 
other parts of the W'est where this kind of agriculture has been 
successfully practiced. 

Of the total area of AVyoming, approximately one-half is still 
Government land open to entry, and it seems that about twenty 
million acres of the State can be brought under cultivation and 
made to produce profitable crops without artificial irrigation. Not 
only is the rainfall sufficient, if the moisture can be properly con- 
served, but it comes at a time when most needed by crops, which 
must add materiallv to the success of the farmer. 



DRV FAK-M1X(; IX WVOMlXt; 



The dates of precijiitation show th.e foUowin.s; avevnsie in Lar- 
amie county for the entire period of record: 



1871 


9.27 


1890 


14.47 


187-2 


13.80 


1891 


18.97 


1873 


10.01 


1892 


13.50 


1874 


9 . 75 


1893 


9 . 22 


1875 


.. .12.10 


1894 


12 . 98 


187(i 


5.04 


1895 


14.70 


1877 


11 .71 


1896 


20.79 


187S 


. ...12.04 


1897 


17.25 


1879 


7 . 34 


1898 


13.05 


1880 


8 . 38 


1899 


14.18 


1881 


1 1 . S8 


1900 


. . . 1() . 09 


1882 


8 . ()4 


1901 


14.99 


1888 .... 


19.24 


1 902 


16.50 


1884 . . . 


15.54 


1 903 


12.25 


1885 


... .1().12 


1904 


15.72 


188(> 




1905 


22 . 68 


1887 . . 




1900 


1 7 65 


1888. ... 


. . . .14.51 




1899 


14. ()5 


Avei"as;e 


13.58 



The records will show that three-fourths of all this precipita- 
tion comes during the growing months. On the other hand, in 
Utah, Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Easterti Washington and California, 
where successful Dry Farming is established, the precipitation 
comes mostly in the winter time and not when crops need it most. 
As a rule there is very little rain during that part of the year from 
spring to fall, and the wind ])lows fully as much, if not more, than 
it does in Wyoming, drying up much of the moisture. In Wyo- 
ming we are free from those scorching hot \\inds which prevail 
during certain seasons over large parts of the states farther west. 
Thei-e is another immense advantage in the distribution of rain- 
fall and that is, by discing the stubble ground after crops are taken 
off, we conserve and hold what moisture there is in the soil, prepare it 
soit readily absorbs what falls later, and this often enables us to plow 
the ground in the fall. This cannot be done where the dry season 
comes in the summer, for the ground is not in condition to be 
plowed in the fall, at least not until the fall rains come, because 
it is so hard and dry. The work at Cheyenne demonstrates that 
proper cultivation does conserve the moisture and keeps the 
ground in condition to be worked. It must be remembered that 
for countless ages the virgin soils of Wyoming have been packed 
bv buffalo and stock running over them and that there are im- 



8 DRY FARMING IN WYOMING 

mense tracts throughout the arid region where the soil has prob- 
ably never been wet to a depth of two feet. After the breaking 
up of this surface, however, the moisture goes into the subsoil and 
is saved and accumulated so the conditions are entirely changed. 
These arid soils are very rich in mineral plant foods and all of 
them have enough humus and nitrogen, when new, to support 
plant growth, and the occasional production of legumes, which 
gather nitrogen from the air, and plowing under a crop such as rye, 
alfalfa, sweet clover or peas, is all that is necessary to keep tiiem 
perpetually fertile. It is a well demonstrated fact that any crops 
suitable to the latitude and altitude will produce large yields 
when raised by irrigation and it seems that with proper soil tillage 
we can do much without irrigation. Brief instructions for Dry 
Farming in those localities where the conditions are suitable 
are as follows: 

At the higher altitudes in the State short season crops can 
probably be made to mature with less moisture than they can 
where the season is longer and comparatively hdt. The general 
statement may be made that the soil conditions over large areas 
of the State are suitable to the conservation of moisture when it 
is properly tilled. 

System. 

The system recommended for Wyoming is that which has 
been practiced in the arid portions of the West Coast States for 
more than a generation, with such modifications as are adapted to 
our different conditions of soil, climate and rainfall. It consists 
in holding two years' moisture for one big crop. There are quite 
a number who misunderstand, when we speak of getting a crop 
every other year. It is true we only get a crop off the same land 
every other year, or under favorable conditions, say two years 
out of three, but we must recollect that we get crops by this method 
when the seasons are dryer than usual and that we get one l)ig 
crop with one plowing, one seeding, several cultivations, practi- 
cally two years' moisture and one harvesting. The farmer simply 
divides his land into two portions, on one-half raising crops, the 
other half being summer fallowed. By this method, which is 
easily understood and carried out, the farmer has a long season 
instead of a short one and drives his work instead of being driven 
by it. 

Plowix(;. 

The plowing must be deep. The plan recommended in this 
State is to plow old ground eight or nine inches deep as early in 
the spring as possilile so as to save all moisture as it falls. Plow 



DRY FARMING IN \VV0:MING 9 

istubble in the fall, Avhen possil^le, in order that the ground may 
absorb the winter's moisture and allow the action of the weather 
to work on tlie plowed laud. 

Harrowing. 

All spring and summer plowing should be thoroughly har- 
rowed the same day it is plowed. It takes just as much time to 
harrow the plowed' ground to-day as it does to-morrow or next 
day, other things being equal, but it makes much difference in the 
conservation of the moisture when harrowing is done; besides, 
harrowing same day, saves extra harrowing if left a few days. 
If possible, harrow (and drill as well) diagonally or at right angles 
to the way in which the prevailing winds VjIow. The object in 
doing this is to prevent the land from drifting or blowing; to hold 
the snow which falls on the plowed ground or winter grain, and 
to prevent the particles of soil or snow from injuring the young 
grain in the drill furrows by being carried along these furrows 
by the wind. Others have strongly recommended that those who 
are summer fallowing their ground should get on to it with the 
drag harrow immediately after any rain or snow. This is not 
always necessary, but what we must do is to get on to the ground 
as soon as it is di'v enough after every heavy rain or big snow. 
This harrowing must not be deferred too long, because if we wait 
the surface of our soil will become very dry and is more lialile to 
■drift when we cultivate. The farmer must use his judgment 
and get on to the ground as early as conditions will be favorable 
to doing good work. 

Maintaining the Soil Mulch. 

The soil mulch is one of the most important factors in our 
success as Dry Farmers. It is !)y the soil mulch that we are able 
to coDserve the moisture, prevent its loss by evaporation and ab- 
sorbing all that comes to the soil by precipitation or from dews or 
other moisture in the air. The summer-fallow ground should be 
in a granular form of small lumps, but care should be taken not to 
get it too fine. The object of cultivating the summer-fallowed 
soil is to prevent the formation of a crust; to allow the proper ac- 
tion of the sun and air; to break up the capillaries and prevent 
the moisture rising to the surface and evaporating, and to inter- 
cept the growth of weeds. The moisture in the soil goes up and 
■down by capillary movement and we keep our soil cultivated to 
break the upper connection and to prevent this loss of moisture. 

i^owiNG THE Crop. 

Winter grain should l)e sown earlv. sav not later than the end 



10 • DRY FARMING IN ^^ YOIMlNCi 

of August or beginning of Septeml)er. This will give the grain a 
good start and it will be in better condition to stand the winter. 
iSpring grain should be sown as early in the spring as the ground 
can be put in good condition and danger of hard freezing of the 
soil is past. It has become a recognized fact that we have been 
in the habit of making the very serious and great mistake of sow- 
ing too much seed per acre. The experience of the most intelli- 
gent and up-to-date farmers shows that l^y sowing thirty to forty 
pounds of wheat per acre in the fall, better results will be obtained 
than with moi'e seed. One of the advantages of sowing a mini- 
mum amount of good seed on svunmer-f alio wed ground and sowing 
it early in the fall is, that we make a long season of .a short one, and, 
other things l^eing equal, the earlier the grain is sown the greater 
is its chance of stooling. For the same reason we should sow a 
larger pi'oportion of seed when we are late with the work in the 
spring. If the season is well advanced and the ground moist and 
warm the grain starts and grows so rapidly that it does not take 
time to stool. Another thing of vital importance in any kind of 
farming is to see that the seeds are planted properly, and, in the 
opinion of the writer, there is no greater mistake made than to 
practice broad-casting, either by hand or by a machine. When 
broad-casted the ground is harrowed or cultivated unevenly — 
some of the seed is too deep, some of it is not deep enough — and 
no doubt many failures are due to this method of sowing. The 
press drill is one of the essential implements for the Dry Farmer- 
It puts the grain in in proper shape and to the right depth, pressing 
the soil around the seed, which insures moisture to cause it to 
germinate, and there is much satisfaction in knowing that our 
work is done properly. We gain, in this way, a week or ten days 
by putting the grain into moist ground at a uniform depth. There 
is a large saving of seed also, antl, where we are farming extensive- 
ly, this is quite an important item, especially when we consider 
what first class seed costs. The man who sows alfalfa broad-cast 
generally puts in from twenty to forty pounds of seed per acre, 
when if he uses a press drill, ten to twelve pounds of seed will be 
sufficient, either under irrigation or dry farm practice. 

Sekd to Use. 

There is no greatoi" mistake made and one for wdiich there is 
no excuse, by the man who wants results, (and that is what we 
are all after) than to use any l)ut the best seed obtainable. Like 
produces like. Be stu'e and use those seeds that are raised with- 
out irrigation if it is possible to obtain them. It is most important 
to get seed which is thoroughly clean, free from w'eed seeds and 
all other impurities. The cost of such seeds is of very little im- 



12 DRY FARMING IN' WYOMING 

portance compared with the results which the best is sure to give. 
Cultivating. 

Under this system of farming a soil mulch must be main- 
tained, not only on the fallow ground, where frequent harrowings 
will be all that is necessary, but also on the land which is raising 
the crop. In the spring thoroughly harrow your winter grain (or 
use a weeder) and remember that to do this properly requires 
that the harrow teeth must be sharp. Set harrow teeth slantingly. 
Harrow teeth like the top of a broom handle cannot do effective 
work. There are a large number of fai'mers who are actually 
afraid of harrowing their grain for fear of tearing out too much. 
We can only say, try it. The man who once harrows with a good 
team and sharp harrow teeth will not only have no cause to regret 
it but will see that it is always done in the future. I wish to em- 
phasize the importance of cultivating growing cereals with the 
harrow or weeder. Alfalfa and grass meadows should be thor- 
oughly disced. After the second year there is little or no danger 
of injuring alfalfa Avith the disc even though the surface soil is 
pulverized into a com])aratively good seed-bed. Because alfalfa 
permanently occupies the land, discing and harrowing is the only 
method by which the soil moisture can be properly saved and this 
is one of the secrets of success in this kind of farming. Use disc 
or alfalfa cultivator after every cutting. Potatoes, corn and other 
rowed crops should be harrowed up to the time they get too large, 
and after that shallow level culture should l)e followed until the 
crop is laid by. 

Harvesting. 

Of course the harvest may he carried on by ordinary methods, 
but the soil should not be neglected at this time. Where our rain- 
fall comes during the summer, discing the stubble after harvesting 
grain is important. After harvesting potatoes or sugar beets the 
drag harrow should ])e used to break up the lumps and re-establish 
the soil mulch. Barley or other grains that can be used for feed 
without threshing should be harvested when in the stiff dough. 
■This prevents, in a measure, re-seeding the ground through the 
grain shattering out, for in this country all the ripe grain which 
drops on the ground in the fall comes up the next spring as a vol- 
unteer crop. If the grain can be fed without threshing it is nuir- 
keted in the best possible way from the farm and sa-s'es the cost 
of threshing and handling. 

Crops to Raise. 

Those crops which ai'e grown in I'ows and only occupy a part 



DRY FARMING IX WYOMING 13 

of the groiuui, like potatoes and corn, where the season is long 
enough, will mature with the least use of moisture. Among our 
small grains the drouth-resistant sorts are very important. Mac- 
aroni or Durum wheat is one of the best. Polish wheat is a 
drouth-resistant sort and is good where it is to be used for stock 
feed. Spelt or emmer is a most excellent stock food and one of 
the best drouth-resistant sorts. Barley, either the bald or hulless 
or the beardless brewing barley, for feed, is a short season crop 
which will mature with a minimum amount of moisture. Oats 
do well in all parts of Wyoming, the earlier varieties being best 
where moisture is scarce. Alfalfa will succeed, and it is important 
to get seed which is raised in the North where the seasons are 
short and in the arid country without irrigation. Whei'e the 
season is long and warm, the sorghums make good crops. Brome 
grass is one of the best drouth-resistant crops for pasture purposes, 
but it quickly gets sod-bound and it must be harrowed or disced 
to keep it producing well. White sweet clover is being tested by 
the Experiment Station and developed by one of our plant breed- 
ers to so improve it that it will become a valuable crop for Dry 
Farming and an important feed with grain for use in fattening; 
stock, especially lambs. French clover or sainfoin is a hardy 
drouth resisting clover at high altitudes. The winter grains are 
especially favorable for Dry Farming, because the summer-fallow 
method properly prepares the ground for such seed and the spring 
rains are sufficient to mature the crop. Winter rye is one of the 
most successful dry farm crops. Rye is not appreciated as it 
should be, for it is one of the best feeds for hogs that can be pro- 
duced. 

Mixed F.\rmixg. 

The best pajdng dry farms will be those in which a system of 
cropping and feeding stock is combined. Where the crops are fed 
to stock at the farm there is practically no loss of fertility. The 
manure is an important item to be added to arid soils as it increases 
their humus, making them more retentive of moisture as well as 
richer in plant food. As has been suggested also, where grains 
are raised for stock feed they may l^e cut early and fed in the bun- 
dle, which avoids the extra work of threshing and hauling to mar- 
ket. There are most excellent opportunities in Wyoming on 
account of our market facilities and favorable climate for finishing 
lambs or old sheep, cattle and swine, principally hogs of the bacon 
type, and such system of farming will be sure to bring the largest 
profit. 



14 dry farming in wyoming 

Size of P'arm. 

One man with a small amount of extra help should be able 
to farm at least 160 acres Ijv the summer fallow method. This 
depends on his knowing how to take advantage of conditions and 
on having the proper equipment. Four-horse tools pay. A man 
or boy with four good horses and a three-section harrow can har- 
row thirty to thirty-five acres per day. Using twice the power, 
by having plenty of horses and double size machinery enables one 
man to do two men's work, which is the most economical method. 

Equipment Needed. 

Dry Farming does not recjuire any special or new equipment. 
There are some things which are absolutely essential, however, if 
the dry farmer will make his business profitable. He should have 
four or six horses, a three-section drag harrow, a 2-12 or 14 inch 
gang plow, a good disc harrow, and the ones with the small discs 
do the best work. The discs should not be larger than fourteen 
inches, though most of them are now being made sixteen inches in 
diametei". An Acme harrow is a valuable instrument for main- 
taining soil mulch. The farmer will also need one or two good 
cultivators and, if he has a farm large enough to pay, he will re- 
quire his own harvesting machinery. It is sometimes most 
economical for several farmers to clul) together and buy one har- 
vesting machine rather than for each to have his own. The press 
drill is one of the essentials. This maj^ be either of the shoe or 
the disc type. The double disc drill has some advantages where 
there is much stubble or refuse, like coarse manure on the ground. 
It is not necessary here to go into details of the farm Iniildings 
and fences required for they are something to be worked out ac- 
cording to the capital and tastes of each individual farmer. The 
point I would make in speaking of equipment necessary is that 
it does not require any new or complicated, or expensive machinery 
to do successful Dry Farming under the best mcfhads. 



DO— 

Plow deep, at least 8 to 9 inches, more if possible. 
Your plowing at the right tim(\ 

Your harrowing and cultivation as soon as the ground is dry 
enough. 

Learn to take advantage of soil conditions. 

Study the capability of your soil. 

Sow a small amount of the best seed ol)tainable per acre. 



DRY FAR:MI.\'G in WYOMING 15 

Fan all seeds and use only the plumpest and cleanest seed 
possible. 

Sow all seed with a drill. 

Harrow or use a weeder on all your growing grain in the 
spring. 

Cultivate your alfalfa or meadows by using a disc or alfalfa 
harrow. 

Harrow your plowed ground as soon as plowed in the spring 
and summer. 

Learn that cultivation conserves moisture. 

Good and thorough work; i' will pay. 

Learn to rotate your crops and keep everlastingly at it and 
success is assured. 

Realize there is always a ready market for first class stock 
and that scrubs don't pay. 

^lake up your mind what you intend to do, make your plans 
accordingly and carry out your ideas. 

Have an alfalfa or rye lot, or rather lots, for your hogs and 
growing pigs, and learn that to get results from these pastures 
it pays to feed some grain if only a little every day. 

Get yoiu' alfalfa seed bed in the l:)e8t possible state of tilth; 
learn that alfalfa fields will last indefinitely, provided 3^ou get a 
good stand, will cultivate them with a disc or alfalfa harrow thor- 
oughly after each cutting, and will manure them. 

Not forget that taking your crop off on four legs is one of the 
best ways to make clear mone}^ off of your farm, besides improving 
its fertility l)y keeping all manure on your land. This method 
of farming, if carried out properly, makes your land of greater 
value year by year, and 3^ou will have larger returns from your 
work. In other words, feed your crops to those animals which 
you like best, be they cattle, sheep or hogs. 

Not forget that to raise crops and feed them successfully, 
recpiires lirains as well as muscle. 

Keep in touch with your agricultural college, get your name 
down for their bulletins and recollect that the professors are 
experts in their different lines, and that they will always be glad 
to assist and advise if you will only show your interest in their 
Avork bv asking for information. 



DON'T— 



Plow when your soil is wet. 

Harrow or cultivate your land when it is wet. 



16 DRY FARMING IN AVYOMING 

Plow your ground in the fall and harrow it fine; it is liable to- 
blow away or drift; leave it rough. 

Use poor seed and expect good results. 

Sow your grain mixed with pernicious weed seed. 

Over seed. 

Sow broadcast. 

Sow grain by hand and then run a disc over the land, and 
expect a good crop. 

Sow alfalfa seed on sod ground. 

Sow a nurse crop with alfalfa seed. 

Forget to harrow the weeds as soon as they appear. 

Let the manure go to waste. 

Let the weeds grow, they are hard to get rid of when large ^- 
besides using up the moisture and fertility that crops need. 

Forget that all soils are not alike and therefore cannot be 
treated the same. 

Scratch your ground and call it plowing and expect good 
results. 

Be discouraged if your crops do not meet with your expecta- 
tions. It takes time to learn how to do things properly, besides 
the season may not be favorable. 

Forget that it is just as easy to get big crops as small ones;, 
better seeds and l^etter culture will increase yields. 

Feed your horses oats in which there are more or less wild 
oats, horses with poor teeth cannot masticate or grind their food 
properly — result, wild oats are passed on to the ground where- 
working. 

Forget that scientific or expert farmers can not make hard 
and fast rules for every farmer. Farmers must study and work 
out their different conditions more or less for themselves. 

Forget the federal government at Washington, D. C, issues 
bulletions on most, if not all, farm topics. These can be had for 
the asking, are written by men who make a special life study of 
their different departments. One very great objection is, the}^ 
are too cheap; ask and you will receive. 



There are exceptions to all rules. The above may not apply^ 
everywhere or to all conditions, but is worth the careful considera- 
tion of the man who is dry farming anywhere. 



